Ambassador Guo Xiaomei gave an interview to Estonian Media Postimees on December 19. The full transcript is as follows:

Postimees: There has been alot of talk about the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3, that is suspected of breaking two undersea cables in the Baltic sea. Does China have an official opinion on the case? According to Swedish media, Sweden has made an official request on the investigation regarding Yi Peng 3. Has China answered to them and is China willing to cooperate? What is China’s opinion on the fact that Danish, Swedish and German ships are still guarding the vessel?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: China attaches great importance to protecting the safety and security of undersea infrastructure. China stands ready to work with relevant countries to find out what happened. As I have learned, China maintains smooth communication with relevant parties of the incident through diplomatic channels. As for specifics about the Chinese vessel, I have no more information to share. I suggest to follow the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s Regular Press Conference.

Postimees: Lithuania has announced that they will send out three Chinese diplomats. Do you know if it’s connected to the breaking of the undersea cables or anything else?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: China strongly condemns and firmly rejects this wanton and provocative action by the former government of Lithuania.

As many are aware, on issues concerning China’s Taiwan region, the former government of Lithuania has been acting in serious violation of the one-China principle and breached the political commitment Lithuania made in the communiqué on the establishment of China-Lithuania diplomatic relations. This has caused severe difficulty for bilateral ties.

We noted that the new government of Lithuania inaugurated recently. China hopes that it will take action to correct mistakes, abide by its political commitment, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and uphold the one-China principle and bring bilateral ties back to the right track.

Postimees: Estonia has a similar discussion with China, regarding our Balticconnector gas pipe and data cables, that were wrecked by NewNew Polar Bear. Has this topic made Estonian and Chinese diplomatic relationship more difficult, similar to Lithuania? Estonia and Finland have hinted, that the investigation of the Balticconnector-breaking has been so slow because China has not been very helpful and quick with the investigation. Do you agree? Why is it so?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: Although Chinese Embassy in Estonia is not in the position to provide details about the investigation on this case, we would like to reiterate the importance China attaches to protecting the safety and security of undersea infrastructure. China always strictly fulfills its obligations under international law in this regard. China’s competent authorities are examining and handling the case in accordance with the domestic laws and applicable international rules, and maintaining smooth communication and good cooperation with parties concerned, including Estonia.

Postimees: There has been alot of discussion on China in Estonia the past year. In addition to the undersea-infrastructure, there has been a big scandal about the members of parliament who travelled to China, mostly on China’s expense. What was the purpose of this visit? Is it normal practice for China?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: I can’t agree with the word “scandal”. In my opinion, the blame to the visit of members of the Estonia-China parliamentary friendship group is unfair and unconvincing.

First, there is nothing to be blamed for the destination of this visit. The Estonia-China parliamentary friendship group was neither the first, nor the last delegation who visited China during the end of August and the beginning of September. Before the visit, a delegation from the German Bundestag, the then Ukrainian Foreign Minister Mr. Kuleba, and U.S. National Security Advisor Mr. Sullivan just left China, the visit also encountered Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) where leaders of 53 African countries, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Secretary-General of the UN, as well as nearly 6,000 guests gathered in Beijing. Right after the visit, Beijing welcomed the Spanish and Norwegian Prime Minister. Indeed, China and Estonia are different in many aspects, but all the differences should not be an obstacle to on site visiting and face to face exchanges. We believe that both of our two countries will benefit from the visits and exchanges.

Second, there is nothing to be blamed for the expenses. As far as I know, it is a common practice for the host country to bear the local expenses during the visit of the parliamentary friendship group. This practice has never been blamed before. We could not understand why this trip to China which didn’t violate any standing rules, was singled out particularly.

In my opinion, the attack to this visit and members of the Estonia-China parliamentary friendship group rooted from ideological prejudices targeted on China and its political purpose was to create an atmosphere of fear in order to make politicians be afraid of visiting China. This approach has been proved unsuccessful by the following visits.

There is a well known saying in China: “Openness brings progress, while self-seclusion leaves one behind”. China has always advocated the philosophy of seeking common ground while reserving differences. We will firmly adhere to openness over isolation, cooperation over division, and integration over decoupling. We welcome all Estonian friends who wish to genuinely understand China to visit China in person.

Postimees: How often does the Chinese embassy in Estonia communicate with Estonian politicians in general and do you feel that they have the willingness to have good relations with China?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: China insists on developing friendly cooperation with all countries including Estonia on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence, namely mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. Friendly cooperation has always been the mainstream of bilateral relations. There are smooth communications between the Embassy and the Estonian side. We look forward to strengthening communication, enhancing mutual understanding, deepening practical cooperation in various fields, advancing bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges between our two sides.

Postimees: Does the embassy consider some Estonian politicians as enemies - for example the parliamentary group supporting Taiwan?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The Estonian side has recognized the above one-China principle and made the commitment not to establish formal, official relations of any forms with Taiwan in the communiqué on the establishment of China-Estonia diplomatic relations. I think parliamentary members of Estonia need to care about their own government’s commitment and act in a responsible way.

To China, Taiwan question is a question which relates to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. If Estonians care about their own sovereignty and territorial integrity, they should understand China’s desire to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan independence will lead nowhere. We hope all Estonia politicians would fully understand the grave damage of “Taiwan independence” separatist activities to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and not send wrong signals to “Taiwan independence” forces.

Postimees: Do you feel that the conflict in Ukraine and China’s overall relationship with Russia has made your work as a diplomat more difficult?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: As a diplomat of Chinese Embassy in Estonia, the task has always been to promote friendly relations between our two countries in various aspects. What the external situation is makes no big difference.

Postimees: What do you think about Estonia’s overall policy to support Ukraine and the fact, that Estonia considers China’s ally Russia as an enemy?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: China insists on developing friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence, namely mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. Based on the five principles, we respect Estonia's sovereignty and do not interfere in Estonia's internal affairs, or comment on Estonia’s foreign policy towards a third party.

Postimees: Do you condemn Russia’s actions and possible war crimes in the Ukraine war?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: The current situation in Ukraine is not what China wants to see. China is neither a party to nor a creator of Ukraine conflict. We sincerely wish that the relevant countries will reach reconciliation as soon as possible and the peace in the region will be restored at an early date. We hope the relevant countries could review the underlying cause for the Ukraine conflict with reason and enhance mutual understanding to help realize enduring stability and security in Europe and the world at large.

Postimees: What can China do and what has China done to help end the war in Ukraine?

Ambassador Guo Xiaomei: The four principles laid out by President Xi Jinping form China’s fundamental approach in seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine conflict, namely the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the conflict should be supported. 

China has stayed committed to promoting peace talks and played a positive role in efforts to restore peace. President Xi Jinping had in-depth exchanges with world leaders including those of Russia and Ukraine, and its special representative has traveled intensively to mediate among different parties. China has also published its position paper. China and Brazil jointly issued six common understandings on the political settlement of the Ukraine conflict and launched the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine conflict together with other like-minded Global South countries to build global synergy on deescalating the situation. China has sent multiple batches of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and will keep providing help to the best of its ability. China will continue to work with the rest of the world to promote peace and play a constructive role in pushing for the political settlement of the Ukraine conflict.